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S.P.D.s and Populated Consumer Units.

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Are new populated consumer units with S.P.D.s fitted designed to mainly protect the sensitive electronic equipment downstream of the S.P.D.s WITHIN THE CONSUMER UNIT? Is that the makers' MAIN intention as R.C.D.s, R.C.B.Os and other sensitive electronic devices can be damaged by Voltage surges, as compared to basic protective devices like wire or cartridge fuses or more basic M.C.B.s?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OuirPKoY0c


Z.
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    all equipment in DBs plus downstream as far as switches and sockets should be category III, meaning they can withstand 4kV (where U0 is 230V). Any transients above this might damage any DB equipment, not just RCDs etc. For comparison, smart meters (which have delicate electronics too) are cat IV and must withstand 6kV.
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    The 'replaceable cartridge' may well be easy to fit, but what's the betting that it'll cost the equivalent of a complete new board to do so in terms of purchase price?
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    whjohnson:

    The 'replaceable cartridge' may well be easy to fit, but what's the betting that it'll cost the equivalent of a complete new board to do so in terms of purchase price?




    I've not noticed anyone selling replacement cartridges yet, which of itself is perhaps a good sign that they don't need replacing often. But if instead you bought a whole new 2-pole SPD, that would only set you back about about £80; or £40 per cartridge, assuming you cannibalised it.

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    Another string to the bows of PAT testers and the like. "Yes modom we can inspect your essential S.P.D. as well for X quid. You know that if it does not work all the electrical stuff in your house will blow up. Just think of the cost and inconvenience, and you won't be able to watch t.v. either and by the way what type of R.C.D. have you got, the old A.C. type, that won't do modom you must have the new Type A now you know............................."



    Z.
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    I'm still not convinced of any real need to actually fit these things, and neither is my wholesaler, who is not stocking them.

    A former colleague of mine who is now self-employed, said that his NIC Local Area Engineer told him that he would not expect to see these devices fitted in domestic installations.
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    whjohnson:

    I'm still not convinced of any real need to actually fit these things, and neither is my wholesaler, who is not stocking them.

    A former colleague of mine who is now self-employed, said that his NIC Local Area Engineer told him that he would not expect to see these devices fitted in domestic installations.




    Exactly what i was told on my 18th update course.  The tutor was also an NICEIC inspector.   He said for your standard domestic property they are not required.  I just give my customers the option.  I am yet to fit one.


    Gary

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    I recently installed a domestic SPD. The house was semi-rural, and definitely failed the risk assessment. As for the single-dwelling exemption: getting an SPD CU from Wylex adds about £100 to the cost. The cost of protected equipment: combi-boiler, TV, laptops x 2, smoke alarms, burglar alarm, phone chargers, LED lighting etc, easily worth more than 5 x £100. So I don't see how I could be compliant with 18th Ed without installing one.
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    wallywombat:

    I recently installed a domestic SPD. The house was semi-rural, and definitely failed the risk assessment. As for the single-dwelling exemption: getting an SPD CU from Wylex adds about £100 to the cost. The cost of protected equipment: combi-boiler, TV, laptops x 2, smoke alarms, burglar alarm, phone chargers, LED lighting etc, easily worth more than 5 x £100. So I don't see how I could be compliant with 18th Ed without installing one.




    I couldn't argue with any of that except that some of those appliances will be on power bricks, which might be fried in the event of a surge, but the appliances themselves will not be.


    So CU change in a rural location which definitely fails the risk assessment. The space for it just allows for a dual-RCD CU, but there is no room for the extra width of an SPD. As I see it, the only solution is to have a separate enclosure for the SPD.

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    Chris Pearson:


    So CU change in a rural location which definitely fails the risk assessment. The space for it just allows for a dual-RCD CU, but there is no room for the extra width of an SPD. As I see it, the only solution is to have a separate enclosure for the SPD.

     

    Or use RCBOs. That frees up 4 ways from the RCDs, 2 of which are then taken by the SPD.
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    It might help if these things actually worked! I know this is a AFD rather than a SPD but the jury is still out as far as I am concerned. Here's part 1. Parts 2 & 3 are as equally illuminating.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVpXQa6EW3k

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